Expedition Overview

The Speedfly 8000 Project is the attempt to create a world first by launching speedwings from the summit of an 8000 metre peak in the Himalaya. The team, of Mal Haskins and Zac Morris, will ski tour and climb an 8000m peak in either the Nepalese or Tibetan Himalaya and then make a speedflying descent. The fledgling extreme sport of speedflying combines the experience and skill-set of skydiving, paragliding and off-piste skiing – and the result is a fast, non-stop descent over normally inaccessible terrain, at break neck speeds.

The expedition is not just about the end game but the story of two friends sharing a passion to fly and working together to realise their dreams and inspire others. 

The expedition is scheduled for the post-monsoon season October 2011.

What is Speedflying / Speedriding?

Speedflying is a new sport that combines 3 major disciplines

·    Skiing

·    Paragliding

·    Sky Diving

By taking the control characteristics of a paraglider and combing the propertiesof a high performance skydiving wing, Speedwings are able to make fast descents down the sides of mountains. 

Adding a pair of ski's to the equation lets the pilots interact with the terrain, allowing them to either ski a steep face and over cliffs or doing huge sweeping turns and carves down areas that most skiers can't reach.  Using speedwings without ski's is also equally feasible, whilst being unable to physically touch the ground during descent the pilot is able to fly as close to the terrain as they like.  Flying at speeds above 100kmh about 1 foot off the ground is not uncommon.   This is called Speedriding.  When you foot launch these canopies it is called Speedflying.

There are an estimated 3500-4000 people who practice sepeedflying worldwide. The majority perform it in Europe, where some ski resorts have dedicated speedflying areas. From Japan to Russia, each year it attracts more and more participants, who share their videos and experiences through online forums.

Imagine going down the biggest, fasted ski run you have ever experienced without worrying about going over cliffs or edges, that's speedflying.

Funding

The speedfly8000 expedition is a pretty large undertaking, but were not expecting to get all our funds from one place.  We're setting a goal here of $10,000 AUD.  This will go towards getting the team over to Nepal and pay for some of the logistics, permits and equipment costs that we need to cover.

Of course if we can drive this projects funding over this mark then that will be fantastic!  To this end we've got some great funding benefits for you to enjoy!

Funding Options / Benifits

Enthusiast - $10
Name on DVD Credits

Backer - $20
Name on DVD Credits, Website

Team Supporter - $30
Name on DVD Credits, Website and signed thank you, A4 image from expedition

Project Collection DVD - $60
A DVD of Speedflying missions and adventures in New Zealand - the training and build up missions to the Speedfly8000 expedition.

Expedition DVD - $100
Signed Thankyou A4 Expedition image and Exped DVD

Tandem Paragliding Experience- $250
Based out of Wanaka in New Zealand - you and a mate can come Tandem Paragliding with Zac and Mal.  Launch from the side of Treble Cone from 1100m and land at 300m at the bottom carpark!
20 Positions available **

Tandem Paragliding  Adventure - $1000
Phokara, Nepal ...  This on is a little further afield.  You and a friend meet Mal and Zac in Phokara, Nepal just prior to their expedition departure for 2 days of Tandem Paragliding adventures.
2 Positions available ***
 

Speedriding Experience / New Zealand - $3000
Does this new sport take your fancy?  Up for the challenge?  Want to try it out for yourself?  You and a friend come and spend 3 days with Mal and Zac in New Zealand  - learning to fly a speedwing ....
3 Positions Available **
 

Manaslu Basecamp Trekking - $4500
Pretty much the ultimate adventure trek - journey on a 24 day trekking expedition with the Speedfly8000 team in Nepal.
6 Positions available   ****
 

** airfaires / Transport / accommodation and food not included
*** Airfares / Transport not included - accommodation in Phokara for 4 nights
**** Airfares to Nepal Not included.  Fully catered expedition / Food / Transport / Accommodation
 

SPEEDFLY8000
Thin Air / High Speed